Last year, my 8 year old was NOT thrilled. My 13 year old enjoyed it. My husband (the guy in the photo) liked it alot. And I loved it!
I had the best time dancing to amazing blues music.
Read about our experience at last year's Boquete Jazz & Blues Festival.
It is less than 2 weeks away!
Here's a video preview of this year's Festival
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While the event is fabulous, the festival's website (here) is terrible. It is hard to find information on it.
I couldn't find links to their most important pages, like the festival line up page and ticket purchase page. But I persevered and uncovered those links eventually. I'll put them below.
On Thursday, Feb 25th at noon, the Festival kicks off with a New Orleans style street parade followed by a free concert at the town's central park.
The Festival really kicks into gear on Saturday and Sunday.
Here is the schedule and line up. For updates to the line up and program, visit the Festival's program page here. Acts are added often, especially on the 1st 2 days of the Festival.
If you don't book ahead, it can be hard to get a hotel room in Boquete. Last year, we went on Sunday and then stayed at Ciudad de David hotel (in David) that night. (FYI - David is 30 minutes from Boquete. Puerto Armuelles, our town, is 1 hour and 15 minutes from David.)
We are going to do something similar this year. We could drive home directly from Boquete, but it makes it more of an event if we stay the night. Plus we usually have something we can accomplish in David.
Also, its a good idea to buy your tickets ahead of time. They sell out.
To find out more about your ticket options and costs go to their website here.
To buy them online use this link here.
As you can see, the tickets aren't cheap. For me its a bonus that kids 12 and under are free.
The festival has a facebook page where they share videos and updates.
While I didn't find the official website super helpful, this site has lots of great information about the festival and related info. You might want to check it out.
If you are coming from another country or from Panama City, there are some good things to know about.
Festival goers can get a 15% discount on Copa airlines flights to either Panama City or to David. It is only for economy seats from February 20th - March 4th, 2016. Book your flight on Copa here. Use coupon code C6705.
This is especially good because Copa is now offering connecting flights from Panama City’s Tocumen airport to David's Enrique Malek Airport. International travelers used to have take a taxi from Tocumen to the Albrook airport to catch a flight from Panama City to David.
This development is wonderful, and so much cheaper for travelers. Used to be, if you flew into Panama City and wanted to catch a flight to David, given schedules and time needed to get to Albrook, you often had to spend the night in Panama City. So you had to pay for more taxis and a hotel room, etc. Even if you could catch a flight that day, you had the cost of the taxi ride to Albrook.
With Copa's flight to David you get to skip the taxi ride to Albrook and you are much more likely to be able to catch a connecting flight that day. Plus Copa's flight to David is cheaper than Air Panama's out of Albrook airport.
We love Copa! It is our family's favorite airline.
Technically, you can only fly from Tocumen to David's airport if you are connecting from an international flight. However, I have taken that flight without having arrived on an international flight. But I wouldn't count on being able to do that.
Not flying internationally? Take Air Panama's flight out of Panama City's Albrook airport to David's Airport. There is no festival discount available for that flight.
You can also take a bus from Panama City with other festival goers.
The details are on the flyer for the Blues Bus to Boquete.
I smile just thinking about going. It is my birthday gift to myself.
Maybe I'll see you there. Please come and say "hi" if you see us.
We will be the only family with both a young Chinese daughter and a blondish teenage daughter.
I'll most likely be dancing in front of the stage. 🙂
The landscape and garden design are certainly beautiful, but are by no means the best out there.
During the afternoon hours, the festival ground are relatively vacant.
In Panama, crowds only begin to filter in around early evening. In order to attain the lively festival experience you may need to sacrifice a good night's sleep in order to drive home, or money on a hotel room. During the evening & night, the festival adds amusement rides, live music and dancing to the mix.
Scroll down to see photos of the festival & Boquete
Of course if you don't mind a slower paced festival escapade or the hot sun, a one day trip to this festival is perfect.
Since this event was originally a coffee fair, it still offers up a large variety of local coffee brands. Boquete is known for having some of the best coffee in the world, so if you enjoy a good roast you should give this event a visit.
The festival is surprisingly small, especially for an event that has been held for over fifty years. Venders occupy most of the fair grounds, selling flowers, coffee, and traditional hand crafted souvenirs.
Though many people come for the coffee and flower arrangements, to me the real star of this event is the town and the scenery surrounding it.
During the 10-day festival there is an explosion of venders outside the festival grounds as well as inside. While in town you you might like to visit the plethora of restaurants, ice cream shops, as well tour coffee farms.
So if you come to Boquete solely for the festival don't forget to stay a little while, look at the views, and grab a bag of local coffee beans for the road.
The festival is the attraction, but in order to get the full experience you have to appreciate the town that puts it on, Boquete.
If you want to learn more, my Mom, Betsy, wrote some about the history of the Boquete Flower & Coffee festival.
This article was written by my 14 year old daughter, Skylar Vayda. Over the next 3 months, Skylar will be writing a Panama-related article each week. She will be picking the topic. We hope you enjoy them.
El Pulpo is on a quiet street. It is close to downtown Puerto Armuelles.So our little family of four ventured out to try the dinner fare at Restaurante El Pulpo (The Octopus).
The restaurant is on a quiet street in the Rio Mar neighborhood. It is just one street behind the waterfront houses.
Which is the street that has the short one-lane bridge going from Pueblo Nuevo/Downtown to Rio Mar. It is about 500 meters past the bridge, on the right- hand side of the street.
That one-lane bridge used to be known as the “bridge over the stinky little slough”, before work on the new and improved sewer system for Puerto Armuelles began early in 2015. While the sewer system is not quite finished yet, the family didn’t notice any odors when we crossed the bridge.
There is a sign out front announcing “El Pulpo, so you won’t miss it. (see photo above.) There is plenty of on-street parking, since this part of the road is off the main thoroughfare.
The owner, Cinia, is outgoing and friendly. She only speaks Spanish.
We went with Cinia's recommendations, ordering a plate of Mariscos Mixtos (Mixed Seafood) in salsa, as well as a plate of camarones al aljillo (shrimp in a garlic sauce).
The four of us weren’t too hungry, so splitting the two meals was plenty of food.
We were quite pleased with our dishes.
There was ample succulent seafood, including shrimp, mussels, fish, squid, and yes, pulpo (remember, “pulpo” means octopus).
The seafood was a little greasy though. You didn't notice the grease so much as you ate it. It just tasted delicious. But afterwards, our bodies let us know we had consumed more grease than we were used to eating .
The side dishes were the usual, meaning french fries and Patacones (fried plantains). As usual, there were no vegetables offered, other than steamed Yucca, a starchy root vegetable, and a tiny garden salad of iceberg lettuce, tomato, and onion. However, the presentation was pretty nice, for a budget Panamanian restaurant.
Click on a photo below to enlarge
It is open 7 days a week from noon to 11pm.
El Pulpo seems like a good quality, economical place to eat lunch or dinner. Overall, our family enjoyed our dinner and chatting with the owner, Cinia.
We would definitely recommend this restaurant as a good addition to Puerto Armuelles’ still rather limited list of dining out options.
Thanks for the tip Victor!
Victor is an ex-pat who lives in the Corazon de Jesus neighborhood.
If you decide to give El Pulpo a try, please let us know what you think.
We’d like to know if it is consistently good, how the service is, etc….
Thanks!
Betsy will be adding this to our site's list of Puerto Armuelles dining options.
Watch this interview with the organizer, Irma Guerra, and the volunteer veterinarian, Dr. Roberto Crespo.
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At first, an organization in David, Voz de las Animales, had conducted a monthly animal clinic in Puerto Armuelles. But after a year they stopped.
Then Dr. Crespo asked Irma if she was willing to organize the monthly clinic in Puerto Armuelles. If she was, he would continue to come down from David for the clinic. Irma was willing and Voluntarios Por Los Animales - Puerto Armuelles was born.
One of the volunteers owns Coco's place, a hotel in Puerto Armuelles, and that is where the clinic is held.
Voluntarios Por Los Animales - Puerto Armuelles has a facebook page.
Please like it. Upload any photos you have from the clinic, and let people know about this organization.
I am sure the page will expand and provide more information on how you can help as the organization grows.
Help with any of the items below would be tremendously appreciated.
You can also collect money for them. To make it look official and consistent, they have a wrapper for you to cover your collection jar.
If you would like a collection jar wrapper, please contact Irma. I had a downloadable version on this page but was asked to remove it. The organization would like more control over who is collecting money using official-looking collection jars.
One woman taxi driver in Puerto Armuelles collects donations from her riders. You can also donate at the clinic itself. They have a collection jar at each clinic, ready for your generous contribution.
Important
If you station a collection cup in a location, you are responsible for collecting the money and getting it to Irma. You can always bring it to one of the monthly clinics.
Do not feed your pet for at least 12 hours before the procedure.
If possible, you should call to say you are bringing your animal to the next clinic. Animals are seen on a first come, first serve basis.
Call Irma to make a reservation or to volunteer - 6230-3623
I went during the January 23rd clinic. I had planned to bring our dog, Ziggy, to be neutered in the morning. Unfortunately, my daughter forgot and fed our dog that morning. I went by the clinic simply to say, sorry I didn't bring my dog, I will next month.
Both Dr. Crespo and Irma were wonderful to talk with. I had planned on interviewing them sometimes, but not that day. But there was a lull in their patients, they were willing, and it just felt right. That is why the video is a little shaky and rough. I didn't bring a tripod or microphone. But hopefully, it is enjoyable anyway.
I happily accepted when Irma asked if I would publish photos of animals ready for adoption.
She will send them to me every month.
For instance, the photo here of a cat that is available to be to adopt now.
In the video, she stated she has 2 cats to adopt. But I think one was adopted already. This cat is only 3 months old and very adorable.
The 6 puppies Irma mentions in the video will not be ready to adopt until February 20th. That is the day of the next clinic. They will be spayed at that time.
So check back next month for photos of those 6 puppies for adoption.
People carefully consider how to greet the new year here.
My guess is that many Panamanians, and others around the world, will greet the Year on the dance floor with a glass in hand. Not a bad way start to 2016.
I love to travel. Luckily for me, my family and I will be in an airport at midnight on New Year's Eve.
Read about the many New Year customs and traditions in Panama here. Many are quite unusual, like the one in the photo above.
New Year’s Eve is an big event in Panama.
Everyone is in great spirits and ready to party!
If you will be in Panama for New Year's Eve, you also need to plan ahead.
Often for big holidays you can not buy alcohol in grocery stores for a specific period of time. I'm not sure that will happen on New Year's eve, but it is worth asking about before New Year's Eve. But you can always go to a bar, of course.
It should be fun, if you are going to be in Panama City.
The free 32 page bi-lingual caroling books are now available in Panama City in all:
Felipe Motta, branches, Casita de Navidad, Crepes and Waffles, Wyndham Hotel Albrook, Restaurant Swiss Chalet, 1985, Avatar Restaurant, Rincon Aleman, Café per Due, Grand Deli, Balboa United Church, St Mary’s New York Bagel, among other retailers, schools, and churches
At the end of each performance, the audience will join the choir in the singing of a favorite Christmas carol.
Saturday, December 12 at 6:60
Mirador Del Pacificoat the fish market end of the Cinta Costera
Santa Claus and his helpers from Casita De Navidad will be there to greet children and pose for photos before the event starts.
To reserve a seat, you need to buy a ticket.
It is free - if you are okay seating on the perimeter. You can get candles at the event.
The cost to reserve a seat is $15, Gold $20, and VIP $25. It includes a souvenir candle which will carry your seat number.
All orders of $20 will be delivered to your Panama City home or office along with song books and candles. You must order soon to get the delivery.
The concert is organized by the CanadaPLUS Foundation.
The foundation holds this event to raise money to aid local charities and institutions.
Beneficiaries this year will be Santo Tomas Hospital and Vision of Hope.
Vision of Hope teaches the blind to make jewelry and to become a functioning part of the community. Samples of their work will be on sale at the event.
The five participating choirs this year are:
- Coro De Opera directed by Paola Cuellar
- Kings College, directed by Vanessa Whay
- The G. Harmony quartet directed by Ricardo Gayle
- Coro JP2 Directed by Danny Gonzalez
- Coro Polifonico Universitario “A Viva Voz” from Chiriqui, directed by Wanda Castillo
The CanadaPLUS Foundation is also helping out with these other events.
December 4, 2016 at 6pm. Hosting a choir for the Hospital Del Nino Christmas Tree lighting ceremony. The foundation will also donate candles to over 200 young patients.
December 11, 2016 at 4 pm. The Chiriqui choir will perform in the lobby of The Wyndham Hotel, Albrook Mall.
A few things to do if you are in Panama City in December.
Learn about Puerto Armuelles here.
But that doesn't mean we don't like the mountains too. We do.
It works the other way too.
We are running into more and more ex-pats who live in the highlands of Boquete or Volcan who “love the mountains”, but who also like the beach.
Some of the hype you hear about Panama, says that these beach and mountain lovers can quickly go back and forth.
For example, the hype says that in one leisurely Panamanian day, you take a dip in the ocean, a hike in the mountains and eat dinner back at the beach.
I decided to test that out.
Recently, while my family was away in the states, I decided to see if I could use the mountains as a quick get away from Puerto Armuelles.
I was particularly enthusiastic since it was the dry (hot) season, and there were no waves for surfing.
What I found was that all the hype is true.
I took off my flip flops, drove to Volcan, put on my hiking shoes, and went for a brisk hike. I was back in my car before dark and driving home - all in the same day.
Specifically, I did the following.
- Left Puerto Armuelles after lunch
- Drove up to Volcan (1-1/2 hrs)
- Enjoyed a 3-hour hike
- Returned to Puerto in time for dinner.
When I left the beach it was pretty hot (high 80’s). I was up in the cool mountains (low 60’s to 70’s) of Volcan in a matter of an hour and a half. It would have taken 2 hours to go to Boquete.
I continued this experiment and visited Cerro Punta, which is ~2 hours from Puerto Armuelles.
I drove to Cerro Punta, took a nice afternoon hike, then spent the night at the wonderful Hotel Los Quetzales.
I woke up, had a lazy breakfast, then went for a real jungle hike. I kept a look out for the beautiful and elusive Quetzal, but never saw it.
I could have returned to my hotel, checked out, and been back in Puerto Armuelles for a swim in the Ocean before dusk, but I didn't. I stayed another night.
Obviously, I have always known that this was possible. But we had never tested it.
Our getaways to the highlands and other places in Panama, tend to be for 4 or more days. We haven't done many quick trips. More often then not we stay contendedly at home in Puerto Armuelles. I think that now that our children are getting older, and more adventuresome, we may start to take more quick trips to the highlands. Or maybe just Betsy and I will just take off more often for a night or 2 and stay at one of the many great mountain hotels
It seems that I'm not the only one doing more quick visits.
With increasing frequency, we run into expats from Volcan & Boquete here our beach town of Puerto Armuelles. They are indulging in a weekend getaway from their mountain homes and staying at Heavenly’s Hotel or the Tsunami Inn.
It was chatting with these expats that inspired me to try a quick getaway myself.
They told me it was easy. They were right.
But I did wonder why they didn't go to the beaches somewhat closer to them such as Las Lajas, Boca Chica, and La Barqueta. They told me that Puerto Armuelles is just a “whole lot more real” than those more resort-type beach areas. In Puerto, you get the beach, but you also get a real beach town, with 20k residents, and all the services and community that this entails.
For more about Puerto Armuelles, go here.
A busy time in Panama City (image source: La Prensa)It is rumored that President Obama has 24 cars in his entourage. And he is only 1 of the 35 world leaders here for the Summit.
For information about the road closures, see this US Embassy page.
For those that don't know.
The Summit is a venue for leaders of the western hemisphere to "discuss common policy issues, affirm shared values and commit to concerted actions at the national and regional level to address continuing and new challenges faced in the Americas."
US President Bill Clinton created the 1st summit in 1994. It was held in Miami Florida.
The 7th Summit of the Americas will be hosted by Panama in Panama City. It officially goes from April 10-12th, but there are a number of adjunct events that occur from April 9-15th.
This year's Summit will be the 1st at which all 35 countries in the Western Hemisphere will attend.
There will be even more people attending the Summit's adjunct meetings, for instance today's business forum. US President Obama will attend that as well as former US President Bill Clinton, 2nd richest man in the world Carlos Slim from Mexico, senior officials from Coca Cola, Copa Airlines, Walmart, and many others.
To find out more about the Summits of the Americas and if they really matter, go to this site about the Summits.
Panama City's International film festival is also opening today.
Click for more about Panama 's film festival.
A busy time in Panama City.
Worth being there for the film festival.
But if you aren't going to that, I'd avoid Panama City right now.
Want to visit a quieter place, learn more about our beach town, Puerto Armuelles, Panama.
We had a blues-filled Sunday in BoqueteIf you will be in Panama, I highly recommend you go to the Boquete Jazz & Blues festival next February.
The 2 main days are always Saturday and Sunday, but the festival actually goes on for days.
This year it started on Tuesday night with a party. Wednesday featured a street parade and jam sessions. On Thursday there was a free concert at Boquete's central park followed by a performance and then another jam session. Friday afternoon and evening was one big jam session. On Saturday, the venue moved to the amphitheater at Valle Escondido in Boquete. Music started at noon and went into the evening. Then everyone reconvened at a restaurant for a big jam session at 8pm. On Sunday, they did the whole thing over again, but with all new musical acts.
100% of the festival profit goes to buy musical instruments and improve musical education in Boquete area schools.
Tickets are a bit steep at $35. Kids 12 and younger are free, which means one of mine got to go for free.
The high cost of the tickets means that most of the folks there were expats.
Which is also why it felt abit like I was back in the States. Everyone was speaking English.
Even people who aren't native English speakers, were speaking English.
I met a people from Holland, Germany, Italy, and Panama. All spoke excellent English. Then, of course, there were the many Americans and Canadians who filled the stands. We were surrounded by English.
On our way out, I saw one of the children who had put on a performance. (As part of Sunday's performances, a group of school children also put on a few brief numbers. These kids are part of the music programs that the festival helps to fund. ) I told him, in Spanish, what a good job he did. Turns out he is an American. No need to speak Spanish. However, I would say the vast majority of the kids on stage were obviously Panamanian.
I hear that hotels in Boquete fill up quickly for the festival dates I didn't even try to get a hotel there. We stayed in David at the Hotel Ciudad de David. David is about 30 minutes from Boquete. We had errands to run in David anyway so it worked out for us. Plus, we have an 8 year old, so any late night jam sessions were not in the cards for us.
We normally stay at the Gran National in David, but decided to try something new, and we are glad we did.
We were impressed by the excellent customer service at Hotel Ciudad de David. We had a very pleasant time there.
We'll be going, or at least I will, every year from now on.
I ran into Joan, of the Careening Cay Resort & Cosmic Crab Cafe in Bocas del Toro, there too. We like staying at their hotel when we visit Bocas.
Like me, she has lived in Panama for years but it is the first time she's made it to the Festival. She and her husband are very busy running their a hotel/restaurant along with being parents of 2 young children. She was enjoying a well-deserved break, and without kids! Maybe next year...
